For one-day races or even three-day events, where you want a fast, lightweight climbing bike that’s still appreciably controlled in the rougher downhill bits, the Trek Procaliber is the quintessential race weapon.

Cannondale Supersix Evo

Developed by carbon sorcerer Peter Denk, the Evo is the lightest production frame available, at under 700g (claimed). Which means that combined with SRAM’s new Red group and Cannondale’s own Hollowgram cranks, mechanics will need to strap on some ballast so it’ll pass the now-outdated UCI weight limit to 6.8kg. We found it startlingly responsive; partly because of its weight, and partly because it’s still as stiff as the old SuperSix. But its true talent is how well balanced it is – so it’s as good at high-speed descending as it is at Pyrenean climbing.